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WDFW reports minimum 270 wolves, rising packs and limited depredations in 2025 annual wolf report
Summary
The department reported a minimum statewide count of 270 wolves, 49 packs and 23 successful breeding pairs in 2025; known mortalities numbered 28 (about 90% human-caused), WDFW removed four wolves for livestock depredations and total wolf-management spending neared $2 million.
Department staff presented the 2025 annual wolf report, summarizing monitoring, mortalities, depredation responses, prevention spending and ongoing research.
Counts and trend: Gabriel Spence, WDFW wolf biologist, said the department's minimum winter count was 270 wolves, representing 49 packs and 23 successful breeding pairs. Staff cautioned that minimum counts are conservative by design: they represent the smallest number the department can confirm from surveys and telemetry and do not preclude undetected animals.
Mortality and removals: Trent Ruzin, another WDFW wolf biologist, reported 28 documented mortalities in 2025, roughly 90% of which were human-caused. Legal harvest by the…
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